A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Tokyo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Tokyo?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Vang Vieng?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $157. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Vang Vieng and Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.34
    Tokyo $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.68
    Tokyo $152
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Tokyo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Vang Vieng


Hotels in Tokyo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $3.18
    Tokyo $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer between Tokyo and Hakuba or Nozawa: $1,137
  • Private Transfers between Tokyo and Snow Monkey Park: $821
  • Hakuba: Private transfer from/to Tokyo/HND by minibus max 9: $815
  • One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $707
  • Haneda airport to/from Naeba city Private Transfer: $650
  • From Tokyo:Private tour to Kamakura with Round-way transfer: $599
  • Haneda airport to/from Karuizawa Town Private Transfer: $568
  • 10-hour Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $555
  • One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nikko: $518
  • Narita Airport: Private one way transfer by Luxury car/Van: $480
  • Haneda Airport to/from Kamakura City Private Transfer: $480
  • Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $455

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Vang Vieng change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vang Vieng $6.31
    Tokyo $37

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.22
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.22
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $22
  • Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $25
  • 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
  • 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $38
  • 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $52
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
  • Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
  • Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $59
  • Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $65
  • Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $68
  • Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.87
    Tokyo $68

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.

  • Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
  • Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
  • Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
  • Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
  • Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
  • Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
  • Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
  • Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
  • Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
  • Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $97
  • Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
  • “Your name.” Going on an electric bicycle <Roppongi, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku> A 6-hour tour of a sacred place. (With support car): $133
  • "Nippori Fabric Town" Walking Tour: $41
  • *Starting / Ending at Your Hotel* 3hr Private E-bike Tour Tokyo: $134
  • 1 Day Bus Tour To Mitsumine Shrine From Shinjuku: $88
  • 1 Day Tokyo Charter Private Tour with English & Hindi Driver: $347
  • 1 Day Tokyo Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $484
  • 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $474
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $143
  • 1 Day private Tour in Hakone with Hakone Freepass & Train Ticket: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.14
    Tokyo $33

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.91

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $78
  • barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $82
  • Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $88
  • Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $101
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $133
  • Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
  • Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $161
  • Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Vang Vieng.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Tokyo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo in the Summer?

Both Tokyo and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

Vang Vieng is cooler than Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tokyo during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F) 
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F) 
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Tokyo. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Vang Vieng is much warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Tokyo. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Tokyo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)